well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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Interesting news here, a proposal that would transform the shannon street area, the side of the street where the stella ballroom is located is seriously under utilised and this would tie in very nicely with the bank of scotland development across the street where a number of new retail units have come on the market and the transformation of nearby bedford row, which includes a luxury hotel and 14 shops, glad to see the city centre fighting back, its also good to see local developers willing to put money into the inner city!
A GROUP of Limerick investors are in the process of assembling a number of sites in the city centre with the purpose of creating a new street, similar to Cruises Street.
The Limerick Post can reveal that the investors are locked in negotiations with the owners of the Stella Ballroom in Lower Shannon Street and the proprietors of other nearby properties, with a view to providing a state-of-the-art shopping mall leading onto Bedford Row.
It is understood that plans will shortly be submitted to Limerick City Council.
The proposed development will sit alongside the Savoy project, currently under way.
One member of the consortium confirmed that talks were well advanced.
Their plan, he said, was to transform Stella Lane into a shopping precinct, which would necessitate the demolition of The Stella, a Limerick landmark building.
“Ideally, if we get the green light, we would like to attract high profile retailers maybe even Marks and Spencer Food Only, which are so popular in the United Kingdom and also in some of Ireland’s larger townsâ€.
The present Stella premises, which is used for bingo, almost backs onto Bedford Row.
One city-based auctioneer said he was aware of plans for the redevelopment of The Stella and other adjoining properties.
“There is still some work to be done in putting the pieces together. From what I know, the intention is to model the proposed new street along similar lines to Cruises Street, and we all know how successful that has been. With Bedford Row about to have a face change, and a new hotel on the site of the former Savoy Cinema, the opportunity is now there to complete what is a very exciting packageâ€.
The Limerick Co-ordination Office said the proposed development of the Stella Ballroom into a pedestrianised street mall would be an added boost to the major regeneration of the city centre that is currently underway.
“It would enhance the second phase of the extensive pedestrianisation programme that is now focusing on Bedford Row and make city centre shopping a more positive experience,†Limerick city co-ordinator Andrew Mawhinney said.
But Mr Mawhinney added that it would be important to get the right balance in the retail mix.
“A quality anchor tenant would be essential and it must also be a living street that has a good combination of cafes and retail,†he said.
Cruises Street, now into its 14th year of trading, was built on the site of the former Cruises Hotel and also involved the purchase of buildings to the rear of the premises.
I wonder will Myles Breens escape from being knocked for the above development. Would hate to see another fine city pub close down.
Turborg thanks for those welcoming news on the new street proposals and Bedford row development. This is very exciting indeed!
Could anyone post a map and locate its exact location?? It would be very helpful for readers to know exactly where it is, I am familiar with the Shannon street area, but I have no exact idea of the new street location…The Limerick city council better get its act together with its public transport and pedestrianisation
What does everyone think of this new plan? It looks like Henry street will be a buzzing place when Shannon and Carlton units are all leased, the St Munchins house redevelopment of nine/ten storeys of Apartments will bring a lot of activity to the Docklands. Then some news that might mature with the ESB offices, there is quite a bit land in around there that could be redeveloped, I’d love to see another high rise residential tower even mightier than the Riverpoint maybe 20 storeys, It would be perfect to that area, with the already existing towers.
Along with the new High-rise hotel across the river on the Ennis road,The IRFU have said that moving from Limerick will not be an option whatever circumstances its faces with, and it still is interested in rebuilding the Thomond Park. But it seems that the IRFU have packed that in and put their attention on Lansdowne road stadium for the time being.
Shane to answer your question on Broad street, The apartments probably are not stunning as there are mostly student tax based development. I got it from one of the main Limerick property websites. As far as I’m aware there are up and nearly built,
There is quite a lot of Development coming on around Corbally with the successful Grove Island, (have not seen it yet) but I know people who have said its great addition to the area, Barrington’s and Abbey court development also are fairly decent developments
Just to clarify is the Fisherman’s quay development a single development nothing in common within the Abbey court dev??
Other recent developments such as Westbury etc.The bad news is Corballly suffers from very bad congestion and all these developments are not helping it.
I must pop down to Limerick to see all these new developments 🙂
This is a map of the city centre showing the general location of the proposed development, its just to give a general idea of area it encompasses, nobody knows as of yet how it will tie in with the bedford row project, i think its probably unlikely that it would open on to bedford row as this would mean the loss of a couple of units planned for there, i dont think the developers would sanction that. As for the neighbouring properties on shannon street, i presume a number of them would have to go if the new unit were to be any decent size, you only have to look at at the area cruises street takes up, the hotel and a number of properties behind it were demolished to make way for it!. Myles Breens bar is only 2 doors down from the stella so theres every chance it’ll be lost!..
The stella is the pink building that is just visible on the extreme leftNot to sound bitter but what the **** was the planning behind the current layout facing Arthur’s Quay Park? The old Dunnes stores is ugly,obsolete dead space, as is the row of shops facing it (beside Martin’s pub) behind Roches stores (currently used as storage for Roches). the garden centre section of Roches is similary a waste of good retail space, it’s fair to say that Arthur’s Quay itself doesn’t embrace it’s view of the park.
My main gripe is that a proper development, facing the park could really add a vibrant section to the riverfront. The park itself is much safer since the cctv was installed and the bushes removed. This is a huge amenity currently being ignored by the city, it has everything the rest of the city seems to lack, ie a sense of space, natural light. The patio in front of the tourist centre would be perfect for buskers or whatever, and the weir and marina looks great from the riverwalk in the park.
The old Dunnes should knocked and a proper, attractive building built there, it is such a missed oppurtunity. Likewise with the derilict block of shops. We shouldn’t be building new streets and ignoring this quarter of town. It could dovetail perfectly with the new look Henry Street.
Was driving by the new block which was built beside the Peoples Park. Some of you have commented on this before and posted pictures etc but I was very disapointed with the building. I thought they could have doen alot more with it. Also have any of you seen the new building at the top of William Street which houses Gleesons Sports
Scene. The building is shocking. Not sure if any of you agree or have seen it. but the building looks old and shabby and built with the cheapest materials and its just after been built. Architecture. Im no expert but I dont see any.
I must say i am disgusted by the drabness and cheapness of it.@Amazotheamazing wrote:
Not to sound bitter but what the **** was the planning behind the current layout facing Arthur’s Quay Park? The old Dunnes stores is ugly,obsolete dead space, as is the row of shops facing it (beside Martin’s pub) behind Roches stores (currently used as storage for Roches). the garden centre section of Roches is similary a waste of good retail space, it’s fair to say that Arthur’s Quay itself doesn’t embrace it’s view of the park.
My main gripe is that a proper development, facing the park could really add a vibrant section to the riverfront. The park itself is much safer since the cctv was installed and the bushes removed. This is a huge amenity currently being ignored by the city, it has everything the rest of the city seems to lack, ie a sense of space, natural light. The patio in front of the tourist centre would be perfect for buskers or whatever, and the weir and marina looks great from the riverwalk in the park.
The old Dunnes should knocked and a proper, attractive building built there, it is such a missed oppurtunity. Likewise with the derilict block of shops. We shouldn’t be building new streets and ignoring this quarter of town. It could dovetail perfectly with the new look Henry Street.
Good point,
There were many discussions about this topic earlier, I wish I could answer those questions too, The Dunne’s site is really depressing, one would think its closed as there are very few footfall and trading in the building when looking at it, I myself thought it might be closed. As I do think some areas like the Arthur’s quay now put in the shadow when in par with all the new blocks been built around Henry Street and the Quays, The Dunne’s site has huge potential been facing a bridge and two other streets.I happened to be in Limerick today, and it seems to get busier every time I visit the place, traffic is getting worse.
Bedford row is completely flattened now and nearly ready to build up quite a large site too.
I walked passed the Arthur’s Park and I just can’t understand how they got away with making the Park like a Prison?? I don’t think much will ever be done to the Park, but the least they could do is remover some of the trees and lower the railings, It will give the park more view & easy to see for a start, when considering its practically sheltered from view. In my opinion I’d see rather a flattened Arthur’s quay centre and make a central Plaza there, because there will be a new shopping complex on the Patrick’s street side etc, Then have some leisure/recreation centre or building of tourist attraction, maybe a view out building on top of the existing park, just Ideas….I wasn’t aware of the new building on Williams street today :confused:
There is a new crane up behind Cruises street onto Denmark street across the road from Smyth’s, anyone know what building is going in there??Canal to be crystal clear by Christmas
ACCUSTOMED as most citizens are to lengthy over-runs on the completion of major contracts, it comes as a welcome and pleasing surprise to learn that the first phase of redevelopment of the Park Canal will be completed by Christmas. Well, that is according to Limerick City Council’s planning executive, Kieran Reeves.
Commenting at the official signing of the 1.2million euro contract for the redevelopment work in City Hall, Mr Reeves said it is imperative that the Council spends the money allocated by the EU by the end of the year.
“Today is about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. Waterways Ireland are the owners of the canal and they have given their full support for it. Up to now Limerick Civic Trust kept the canal in some state of good repair with their limited resources and the residents have been very good to us and have had a good input and their support has been consistent as well,†said Mr Reeves.
The contract was awarded to Murphy International and is being administered by Limerick City Council and Shannon Development who each contributed 220,000 euro towards the project which is an EU initiative.
The work just commenced involves the dredging of the canal from the Shannon to the Abbey rivers and the development of a dedicated pedestrian cycle lane area to Park Bridge from Lock Quay. Other elements of the canal’s major revamp include a private development, the enhancement of walkways, state-of-the-art seating and lighting, boating and fishing facilities and the possibility of a water bus.
It is anticipated that the canal will become a focus for cyclists, runners, fishermen and will become an amenity that can be enjoyed by local people and visitors.
“By creating a link between the medieval and university city the canal restoration will work as a catalyst for residential, commercial, leisure and tourist related developments that will complement the substantial investment that has already take n place in the city centre,†said John King, director of Heritage and Tourism in Shannon Development.
He also confirmed that existing pathways along the length of the southern bank of the canal will be resurfaced and an improved path will be provided for cyclists. Top grade street furniture will be established and special platforms will be erected on the northern bank for use by fishing enthusiasts.
This is an interesting article from the Limerickpost,
Mayor calls for a united drive to restore Limerick as third city
By Marie Hobbins
LIMERICK city manager, Tom Mackey’s new application for an extension of the city boundary was approved by members of Limerick City Council on Monday and the application will now be forwarded to the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche.The last boundary extension for Limerick city was granted in 1950 and an application for a further extension in 1974 was rejected. However, in 1991 the Commission of Local Government Reorganisation and Reform recommended that the boundary be extended and a further application was submitted.
City manager, Mr Mackey, has informed the councillors that in July 2002 the Minister’s private secretary wrote to the then mayor recommending that the data contained in the application be brought up to date and a fresh application submitted.
Last October City Council invited comment on the issue from the public and also from Limerick and Clare County Councils.
“We then considered the responses together with the views of the general public as expressed in correspondence and on the internet as well as through an MRBI survey conducted on our behalf and having considered all replies, we decided to amend the proposal,†the city manager states.
Referring to the new application being submitted to the Department, Mr Mackey said: “It is my considered opinion that an extension is essential in order that the city can discharge the role of regional development assigned to it by the National Spatial Strategy so that all citizens of Limerick can experience representative governance and that there can be a coherent vision for the future development of all of the city.
“It is also needed so that the city’s resources can be reinvested in the city to benefit all its citizens,†he said.
Stressing that a boundary extension is strongly supported by former president of the University of Limerick, Dr Ed Walsh, Cllr Michael Hourigan who made an extension a priority of his mayoralty last year, said that the current limits on the boundary are unsustainable in the long term.
“The city is being drained of resources by having to provide services for a huge population, most of whom do not pay rates to the City Council.
“A situation where you have three councils responsible for the administration of the Limerick urban area simply doesn’t make sense. I’m delighted that the new application and report is complete and can be sent to the Minister. It’s my hope that we will be able to move forward with the process as soon as possible,†he said.
Limerick’s present mayor, Cllr Diarmuid Scully points out that with a boundary extension Limerick would become 50 per cent larger than Galway but that without one it would fall to fifth place behind Waterford.
“Galway was granted an extension more than a decade ago, while Limerick’s last application wasn’t even answered by the government and as a result Galway, not Limerick is now, officially, the third city in the state,†he said.
Contending that the reason the Health Service Executive (HSE) decided to abolish the Midwest Health Region and put Limerick and Clare into a Western region, stretching from Letterkenny, County Donegal to Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, is a direct result of Galway’s increased status, Mayor Scully insists: “Unless the boundary extension is granted immediately the Mid West region will continue to lose out to the West and South as more and more facilities are located in Cork and Galway rather than in Limerick. I am calling on all public representatives in the region to put petty differences aside and unite to restore the capital of the Midwest to its rightful place as the Republic’s third city.â€
It ‘s good to see so much work going on with the city’s public spaces – Milk Market, Park Canal, Bedford Row, Baker Place, new marina and perhaps a new street too. It often strikes me that over the last few years while so much new private sector building was going on there was a real lack of anything promising coming from the city council, especially when compared with other cities around the country. Its nearly 15 years since Arthur’s Quay and King John’s castle were (re)developed and in the mean time one only has to look at Dublin and Cork (Smithfield, Meeting House Square, new bridges over the Lffey along with patrick St. and Emmet Place/Crawford gallery in Cork) Limerick has a bit of catching up to do in this department – The lack of any sort of decent quality public space in the city centre being a constant and justifiable criticism by visitors to Limerick. Hopefully all these projects will turn out well and that Arthur’s Quay can be added to the to do list asap. I also think the space between Hunt Museum and Shannon has potential if anyone has any thoughts.
@ShaneP wrote:
It ‘s good to see so much work going on with the city’s public spaces – Milk Market, Park Canal, Bedford Row, Baker Place, new marina and perhaps a new street too. It often strikes me that over the last few years while so much new private sector building was going on there was a real lack of anything promising coming from the city council, especially when compared with other cities around the country. Its nearly 15 years since Arthur’s Quay and King John’s castle were (re)developed and in the mean time one only has to look at Dublin and Cork (Smithfield, Meeting House Square, new bridges over the Lffey along with patrick St. and Emmet Place/Crawford gallery in Cork) Limerick has a bit of catching up to do in this department – The lack of any sort of decent quality public space in the city centre being a constant and justifiable criticism by visitors to Limerick. Hopefully all these projects will turn out well and that Arthur’s Quay can be added to the to do list asap. I also think the space between Hunt Museum and Shannon has potential if anyone has any thoughts.
I think once the City centre’s image and street enhancement take shape, Other positive events will follow and really turn things around and create buzz in the City centre. This is something Limerick city centre does lack a proper public space with integrated pedstrian street plan. Its about time they have set it stone. If the currrent development is progressing the way its going it won’t be long before they turn their attention to the Aurthur’s Quay area.
BTW did anyone see the Property Outlook section of The Irish Times last week, an Interesting article of Limerick’s transformation and a impressive image of the Bedford Row pedestrianisaton. The Bedford Row project is veru impressive 🙂“this thread has ben quiet lately, anybody have any new news?”
Ya whats wrong with ye all?, theres plenty of stuff going on!
This just confirms what we’ve always thought about the city council, are these really the people who should be spearheading the campaign for a boundary extension?, the way things are going we’ll probably get a boundary reduction! 😡
Council on the brink of collapse
A DAMNING indictment of Limerick City Council has been made by Minister of State, Tim O’Malley who accuses the local authority of not being able to efficiently run a modern, medium sized city.
The Minister’s criticism comes as the Council faces financial ruin following the High Court’s decision not to overturn an arbitrator’s decision that it wrongly fired Uniform Construction from the 240million euro Limerick Main Drainage Scheme in 2001.
Now looking financial ruin in the face, with a compensation pay-out of well in excess of 50 million euro being calculated for Uniform, (this represents over 80 per cent of the council’s annual budget), the life of the Council hangs in the balance, with the possibility of a commissioner being appointed to run the city. Should the Minister for the Environment dissolve Limerick City Council, the role of the elected members would also be annulled.
While support for the Council and various suggestions on how it could be salvaged from all-out bankruptcy have come from various political quarters, Minister O’Malley’s hard-hitting denouncement is accompanied by his insistence that “a single authority should take over the running of Limerick city and countyâ€.
Voicing concern for the security of jobs at City Hall, he says that having got the original specifications of the Main Drainage Scheme so badly wrong, the Council should not have acted so hastily in pursuing the matter through the courts again.
“The Council has now managed to damage the financial integrity of our city in a manner unprecedented since the Siege of Limerick in 1691 and it seems that the efficient running of a modern, medium sized city seems utterly beyond the capabilities of many of the officials we have been employing.â€
City manager, Tom Mackey told the Limerick Post that he is “considering†Minister O’Malley’s statements and will “respond in due courseâ€.
Uniform Construction won a 8.5million euro contract in 2000 to carry out tunnelling for the drainage scheme but was sacked after falling behind with the work and for going over budget.The company claimed the Council failed to give it accurate information about underground rock and one of its principals was forced to sell off his share of the business as a result of what happened.
Uniform appealed the decision to a conciliator who found in the company’s favour and awarded it 25million compensation but this decision was subsequently appealed by the Council to an arbitrator who also found in favour of Uniform.
Limerick City Council then sought to overturn this ruling in the High Court but the Council’s case was rejected.
Stressing that it will be essential that the city is not left without essential services, Deputy Michael Noonan, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, says that the Exchequer may have to step in to save the Council and the services it provides.
“Limerick city taxpayers alone should not foot the 50million damages. There are several precedents to support this – some years ago Limerick County Council had to pay three million in compensation to a company for not being awarded a roads contract. The Council had to pay 250,000 euro from its own insurance cover and a small residue of 30,000 while the National Roads Authority had to pick up the remainder of the bill. I want the same principal applied in the case of Limerick City Council.â€
Deputy Peter Power has called on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to authorise that the compensation bill be paid by the Department of the Environment.
Speaking to the Limerick Post he said: “information available to me is that the Department of the Environment and Local Government were intrinsically involved in the decision to rescind the contract from the beginning. I can reveal that they agreed at all stages with the decisions of the City Council on this issue.â€
While the director of services for Transportation will hold a briefing session with the city’s councillors on Monday next, Mayor Diarmuid Scully said that the 50 million euro pay-out being quoted is not based on any decision yet taken.
“The arbitrator will not make his decision on costs until March 2006 and in the meantime we will explore all options open to us,†he said.
“It seems that the efficient running of a modern, medium sized city seems utterly beyond the capabilities of many of the officials we have been employing.â€
City manager, Tom Mackey told the Limerick Post that he is “considering†Minister O’Malley’s statements and will “respond in due courseâ€.
Uniform Construction won a 8.5million euro contract in 2000 to carry out tunnelling for the drainage scheme but was sacked after falling behind with the work and for going over budget.The company claimed the Council failed to give it accurate information about underground rock and one of its principals was forced to sell off his share of the business as a result of what happened.
Uniform appealed the decision to a conciliator who found in the company’s favour and awarded it 25million compensation but this decision was subsequently appealed by the Council to an arbitrator who also found in favour of Uniform.
Limerick City Council then sought to overturn this ruling in the High Court but the Council’s case was rejected.
Stressing that it will be essential that the city is not left without essential services, Deputy Michael Noonan, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, says that the Exchequer may have to step in to save the Council and the services it provides.
“Limerick city taxpayers alone should not foot the 50million damages. There are several precedents to support this – some years ago Limerick County Council had to pay three million in compensation to a company for not being awarded a roads contract. The Council had to pay 250,000 euro from its own insurance cover and a small residue of 30,000 while the National Roads Authority had to pick up the remainder of the bill. I want the same principal applied in the case of Limerick City Council.â€
Deputy Peter Power has called on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to authorise that the compensation bill be paid by the Department of the Environment.
Speaking to the Limerick Post he said: “Information available to me is that the Department of the Environment and Local Government were intrinsically involved in the decision to rescind the contract from the beginning. I can reveal that they agreed at all stages with the decisions of the City Council on this issue.â€
While the director of services for Transportation will hold a briefing session with the city’s councillors on Monday next, Mayor Diarmuid Scully said that the 50 million euro pay-out being quoted is not based on any decision yet taken.
“The arbitrator will not make his decision on costs until March 2006 and in the meantime we will explore all options open to us,†he said
More!
New private hospital sparks heated debate
FULL planning permission has been granted for the construction of Limerick’s first purpose-built private hospital, on the outskirts of the city, this week.
However, the general manager of Barrington’s Hospital, Denis Cahalane, stresses that this isn’t the city’s first private hospital, as their private facility currently has a 40-bed overnight capacity, which is increasing to 70 beds by the end of 2006.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Tim O’Malley, described the new hospital as “a huge addition to health services in Limerick and the Mid-West,†adding: “We have Barringtons, but a major private hospital, with close to 100 beds, is very badly needed in the city.â€
Reacting to this, Mr Cahalane fumed that Barrington’s is “constantly being discredited by people such as the Minister O’Malleyâ€.
Suggesting that there may have been a conflict of interest in Minister O’Malley’s favouring a new private hospital on the grounds of the Mid Western Regional Hospital by reason of the fact that his pharacy is located across the road, Mr Cahalane says this week; “Minister O’Malley is constantly discrediting Barrington’s because he originally favoured a private hospital being located on the site of the Mid Western Regional Hospital. He is constantly saying in public that we only deal with day cases or have only a few beds. When as deputy minister for health he knows full well that you have to have overnight facilities to offer the Treatment Purchase Fund, and 20 per cent of our work last year was through this fund. We will have 70 beds by the end of next year, which isn’t far behind what the new hospital is supposed to have. But they haven’t turned the sod on that yet and we are already operational,†he insisted.
But Minister O’Malley has always insisted that the reason he favoured locating a new private hospital in the grounds of the Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle was “so that there is no duplication of resourcesâ€.
Several locations including the University of Limerick, Adare and the site of the Mid Western Regional Hospital were originally earmarked for a new private hospital in the city. But the 60 million euro Blackberry Medical Facility is the first private hospital in Limerick to secure planning permission and will be one of the first custom-built private hospitals in Ireland.
Located in the southern outskirts of Limerick city in a prominent location on the Ballykeeffe Road, close to the Foynes Road roundabout and the Southern Ring Road, the new private hospital will be situated in close proximity to the Mid Western Regional Hospital.
It promises 95 hospital beds, six operating theatres, a “state-of-the-art†physiotherapy centre and 14 recovery units, construction is expected to be completed within 18 months.
It is estimated that approximately 150 medical staff will be employed at the new hospital. The design will be finished to the highest specification and will provide step down, long stay and intensive nursing care. The facility will also have three-tier underground parking for ambulance access as well as patient and visitor convenience.
According to the developers, more than three million euro has been invested to date in developing the hospital, with a total investment programme of 60 million euro estimated. Up to 300 new construction jobs will be created and the hospital will also generate significant economic benefits for the local economy.
Local property developer, Shay Sweeney, who is the managing director of Blackberry Park Properties Limited has been involved in housing developments in Limerick city and county in the past. But this is his first venture into a development in the healthcare sector.
Minsiter O’Malley said that he is “absolutely delighted that planning permission was granted because any additional private facility in the Mid-West will ease the burden on the Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle and free up beds for public patientsâ€. “I wish them every success and it will be a great bonus to private patients in the region and also public patients who can be catered for on the Treatment Purchase Scheme,†he said.
Recent surveys have shown that Limerick and the Mid-West region has the highest number of people with private health insurance in the country.
Mr Cahalane, who despite his annoyance with Minister O’Malley’s dismissive remarks about Barrington’s, also welcomes the opening of the new hospital saying that “there is a great need for private facilities in Limerickâ€.
Turborg I feel the same! Why isn’t there a fair contribution to this thread from others rather than Limerick people just browsing and demanding news etc, sorry but If you live there stop acting like you just came into the world just there! Converse, add, relate, discuss, and initiate. I find that terribly rude when someone comes out wit comments like the one you said Limerickguy 😡
Anyway…
Hotel developments
Up to a thousand and 48 new hotel rooms will be provided in Limerick over the next year or so. All the new Hotels are either waiting to get the go ahead or now under construction. With booming numbers passing through Shannon Airport means more people are coming to Limerick and staying around Limerick for city breaks, and now Limerick is seen as a European city destination or will eventually!
The Old Ardhu hotel has been said to have started and will have 61 suites
Mayor Diarmuid Scully,
Local deputies and city councillors have been invited to attend a public meeting organised by the residents of the North Circular Road, in the Woodfield House Hotel, Ennis Road on Monday, November 14. The meeting will discuss issues regarding the Ardhu Ryan Hotel future and development.Two Mile in will have: 55
The Strand hotel: 185
Punches cross 60
Childers road Hotel: 100 bedrooms
Lynch hotel (old Georges site): 128
Clarion additional 63
A quality Hotel, South city 143
Ramada hotel: 80
Woodland Hotel: 80
Shamrock hotel 60Also a new hotel is to be opened in New Harry’s Mall
Up to a thousand and 48 new hotel rooms will be provided in Limerick over the next year or so. All the new Hotels are either waiting to get the go ahead or now under construction. With booming numbers passing through Shannon Airport means more people are coming to Limerick and staying around Limerick for city breaks, and now Limerick is seen as a European city destination or will eventually!Planning was granted for Apartments and shops on 22 Roches street, I will update on this later
Other news
The Shannon Tunnel is to get the go ahead in spring,Works starts on the Raheen Bus lane, and will run between Hospital and ballyekeefe (near the Crescent) and in the future continue onwards to the city centre but no proposals have yet been made by the city council.
The work is due to begin early next year depending on the available funding.Some highlights of the boundary issue, the Limerick Tds are even peckering over the boundary extension, this is ridiculous :rolleyes:
Here’s something interesting read. 🙂
Limerick could be shopping capital of Europe
A Limerick businessman, Michael Parkes reasons that Limerick could soon become the new shopping capital of Europe.
The city’s close proximity to Shannon Airport, the new ring road network surrounding the city, the advent of the port tunnel and the continuing investment in the Mid West, are seen by him as the catalyst for putting Limerick on the map as a shoppers’ paradise.
Given the reputations of other established shopping capitals, such as Milan and Paris however, city auctioneer Pat Kearney of Rooneys describes Mr Parkes’ suggestions “as far reaching, but not impossible to achieveâ€.
“The Parkes family has down through the years been far seeing and some of their projects were often thought to have been before their time. Not so, they were leaders in their field.â€
It was up to the various authorities and the Limerick business community, he said, to ensure that Michael’s ideas were not just a pipe dream.
“Budget airlines, like Ryanair, have opened endless possibilities and have a major role to play in Limerick’s future development. We have seen what Ryanair has done for the region since they started operations at Shannon Airport – just ask hoteliers, guest house owners and city centre shop owners. “Limerick is rapidly gaining a reputation as a major shopping centre and when the final pieces in the jigsaw to ongoing developments are put in place, we should prepare to market ourselves throughout Europe.â€said Michael
Limerick City
Ryanair, and other budget airlines, he added, could then be encouraged to put Limerick on their itinerary as the place to shop, bringing thousands of visitors to the region monthly at knock down fares.“Coming in from Shannon the first port of call could be the new Jetland Centre in Caherdavin. From there, passengers could be ferried through the port tunnel to the proposed multi million pound shopping centre at the old Racecourse site.
“From there, onto the Crescent Shopping Centre, where another expansion programme is underway.
Mr Kearney also said that “With the proper support and goodwill the thought of Limerick becoming the shopping capital of Europe might well become a reality.â€
“We should also promote it as the sporting capital, what with our rugby and GAA reputations we could have some great sporting weekends. To further whet the appetite, we have some of the country’s best restaurants and night-clubs on our doorstep. Let’s move now before others get there before us. The first step should be a rail link between Limerick and Shannon Airport,†he said.
Michael is in no doubt that Limerick is poised to compete with other major centres of population who pride themselves in their shopping malls and precincts, and the variety of goods on offer.
“The transformation which has taken place here over the last few years is unbelievable. Emigrants returning home have been known to express astonishment. No doubt about it, but Limerick is a far different city to what it was, say only a decade ago.â€
Investors, he added, continued to identify the right mix of tenants with many UK and European High Street retailers having located here, with the promise of even more to come.
Michael is heartened by plans to revitalise the city centre area, which, he says, is pivotal to the city’s ongoing success story.
well first of all OUCH! im sorry all i was doing was asking a question…….
anyway i think that statement about limerick becoming the new shopping capital of europe is bull
seriously all he does is mention a couple of shopping centres and there not even good compared to ones in dublin.
also think of all the cities in europe, they all have shopping centres in the suburbs like any other city, so why limerick? i get annoyed when i see these farfetched ideas.also when is st.munchins house coming down, i havent been in town all week and i was in yesterday and it was still there as ugly as ever! the sooner it comes down the better!
Ok I accept your genuinty, 🙂
Well Its anyone guess, It is probably still waiting on offices to move out, the plan was it was mean to start straight after the Riverpoint tower completetion and Dept of argriculture movmement to temporay offices.
This will be another milestone to the city centre development and will lead to more development on Henry street at the ESB offices.
I have not been in Limerick in a while myself.The shopping capital storey might happen as there are so many retailers moving here and If the shopping paradice goes ahead in Patrick Street area and Mark and Spencer final word in coming here, not to mention the new street plan near Henry Street and Bedford row redevelopment, Carlton, city centre pedstrianisation plan
when is the savoy and the bedford row development meant to be completed?
next summer?
it would nice for it to be ready by summer.
if you ever go to galway there is always street entertainment in the evenings around 8 9 or 10, it gives a really good atmosphere to the city there, it would be nice if we could have something like that.oh yes sorry for double posting but i read in the limerick leader over the weekend that the IRFU are putting in a new bid to buy up the houses, i have a good feeling that the residents will accept!
Heres your answer!
UGLY BUILDING TO BE DEMOLISHED
The last hurrah: St Munchin’s house to be demolished 😀
THE stage is now set for the demolition of one of Limerick’s best known landmark buildings—St Munchin’s House, often described as the city’s ugliest building.
Bulldozers will move on-site next week to begin knocking the 34-year-old structure, it was confirmed this Thursday. “The whole building should be coming down in the next week,†said developer Michael Daly.
He said that St Munchin’s House would be levelled in a similar way to how the Savoy cinema complex was demolished last month.
Mill Lane, linking Henry Street with Bishop’s Quay, will be closed to accommodate the works.
“The knocking of St Munchin’s House is the next milestone in the development of this area,†said Mr Daly, Riverpoint developer.
The contract giving the go-ahead for the demolition of the building was signed two weeks ago.
St Munchin’s House is located alongside the newly constructed 15-storey Riverpoint development, which has overtaken the Clarion as the tallest building in Limerick. The demolition of St Munchin’s House will pave the way for the second phase of Riverpoint. It was built in 1971, designed by PJ Sheahan and was Limerick’s first purpose built office block.
It occupies 2,723 square metres over eight levels, and was bought by Mr Daly in July 2002. It has been slammed by architects in recent years for ‘turning its back’ on the river Shannon.
Riverpoint incorporates 13 floors of offices, 125 apartments, a crèche, a gym, a pharmacy, a landscaped courtyard and a 250-space underground car park.
The new bar at the development will be dedicated to the memory of Limerick acting legend Richard Harris
Mill lane is being closed off for a year from next year to facilitate the demolition of munchins house and the construction of phase 2 of the riverpoint project!
I think this notion of limerick becoming “the shopping capital of europe” is a bit embaressing, im not sure what mr parkes is basing this on but he must be pretty confident that he’s going to get the go ahead for his new venture beside the parkway retail park, basically what is planned is a 60 unit centre along with an office park, cinema, industrial units and public park.Im really sick of all these boring suburban shopping centres, they’re killing the city centre, i see the crescent extension opened last week, bringing it up to around the 100 shop mark, the original 70s part looks extremely dated from the outside with its lowrise malls, i always thought it should have been bulldozed and a more suitable structure put in place, there is basically no more room for expansion on this site. With more developments planned for the old racecourse, coonagh cross and the parkway, its about time the city centre projects gathered some momentum, the proposals for the michael street area etc should be submitted shortly, lets hope they’ve put some proper thought into this, we dont want another arthurs quay style debacle, also the application for shannon street is expected shortly!
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